Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
January 10, 2026 Human rights
The UN-mandated Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has called on the country's authorities to immediately restore internet access and end the brutal crackdown on ongoing protests across the country.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said it was alarmed by credible reports that security forces had been ordered to "decisively" and without restraint suppress the protests, which are now in their third week.
On the evening of January 8, internet and mobile phone service were shut down in Iran, severely limiting public access to information amid escalating violence. Protests began on December 28 following the collapse of the Iranian currency and have since spread to at least 46 cities across the country.
As of January 7, more than 40 people, including at least five children, were reported killed in several provinces, including Qom, Yasuj, Kermanshah, Ilam, and Lorestan. Iran's parliament also reported security personnel fatalities.
Respect for fundamental human rights
"The fact-finding mission reiterates that Iranian women, men and children deserve the right to live in safety, dignity and with full respect for their rights, including the right to peaceful protest, free from oppressive violence, intimidation or state reprisals," the statement said.
“It also emphasizes that threats or acts of unilateral military intervention by third states are contrary to international law,” the document notes.
The mission called on the Iranian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and to release without preconditions all persons arbitrarily detained for exercising their legitimate rights.
The mission is reportedly reviewing videos and photographs showing security forces opening fire on protesters. Other video footage shows buildings and vehicles being set on fire in the streets.
The mission also expressed concern about the use of force in ethnic minority areas, where the response was reportedly particularly brutal. In one incident, security forces allegedly raided a hospital in Ilam, using tear gas and beating patients and medical staff.
It is noted that the current crackdown is repeating patterns documented during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests that erupted in 2022 following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman detained for violating mandatory hijab regulations. Those protests were accompanied by accusations of gross human rights violations and systemic impunity.
Fact-finding mission
The fact-finding mission established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 is mandated to investigate alleged human rights violations in Iran related to the protests that began in September 2022, particularly affecting women and children.
In April 2025, her mandate was extended for another year to examine allegations of recent and ongoing serious human rights violations.
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